Robert Mapplethorpe: Pictures [Hardcover]

Robert Mapplethorpe (Author), Ingrid Sischy (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 30, 1899

Mapplethorpe, Robert, and Dimitri Levas. Pictures. Arena Editions, 1999. ISBN 1892041162

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Mapplethorpe, whose name is now synonymous with controversy, was renowned for his refined aesthetic and his willingness to confront taboos. In contrast to his classical portraits, nudes, and still lifes, his sex photographs and the reactions they engendered have been much discussed but less frequently seen. Edited and designed by Levas, this compilation of images (made between 1976 and 1980) showcases 103 beautifully reproduced duotone plates and demonstrates Mapplethorpe's intimate, personal vision of homosexuality and fetishism. Interview editor Ingrid Sischy provides a brief introductory essay that concisely contextualizes the work, explaining that while they may be shocking the photos are not pornographic. "Explicit pictures of homosexual sex don't make up a huge proportion of his work, but they are its underbelly." This handsome book is a welcome addition to the 100 books and articles listed in its bibliography, offering valuable documentation of an important artist. Highly recommended for specialized collections.AJames E. Van Buskirk, San Francisco P.L.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 220 pages
• Publisher: Arena Editions; First Edition edition (December 30, 1899)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1892041162
• ISBN-13: 978-1892041166
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 9.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #568,692 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Art Or Trash? The Book Which Will Decide Your Vote!, July 2, 2000

By 

carol irvin "carol irvin" (United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Robert Mapplethorpe: Pictures (Hardcover)

Probably the most reviled book at Amazon because of its sexual explictness of the "out there" gay life led before AIDS, complete with bondage, S&M and even torture. Yet Mapplethorpe was artist enough to make many of the images compelling and haunting plus horrific yet eye/heart stopping. There are even self portraits of Mapplethorpe at the height of his own physical beauty before he too would be ravaged and killed by AIDS. I come down solidly on the side of the "This is art" contenders but caution you that this book is not for the rigid, the squeamish or minors. Mapplethorpe captured an extreme moment in time, when controversial sexual behavior came out to the public and shoved itself in the public's face, clamoring to be viewed and defying us to look away. I, for one, could not look away.

36 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars mapplethorpe's greatest work, October 14, 1999

By 

Geoffrey P. Smith "opusposthum" (ATLANTA, GA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Robert Mapplethorpe: Pictures (Hardcover)

this is the book that all mapplethorpe fans have secretly and not-so-secretly been waiting for...his toughest,grittiest and most lovingly made photographs taken in the space of a few years before fame and, in my opinion, decline. some of these photos have been seen in other anthologies of his work, but arena editions boldly offers 100 views of leather and sex in a volume of unsurpassed quality. the best reproductions of the photographer's work i have seen. this is difficult work to view, but this book is essential for mapplethorpe fans and photography aficionados. why? because this is the body of work that matters when the great photographers line up and are counted. do beware!! the images in this book are unsuitable viewing for all minors, and most adults. buy it!!

30 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Posthumous success, whether you like it or not!, November 20, 1999

By 

Allen Craighead (Bowling Green, KY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Robert Mapplethorpe: Pictures (Hardcover)

This is a fabulous collection of the very subject matter that turned the art world on end. These pictures, however explicit and extreme in subject matter push the more important issue of artistic freedom. Without this freedom we all suffer. Censorship has somehow told us that we can be harmed by the images we look at...more harmful is the forced conformity that ensues when creativity is left for others to decide what is or isn't done in the name of artistic freedom. Having left his flowers and portraits in their own respective niches, his artistic freedom rings clear as a bell with this collection.